New protections for Tonbridge Town Lock and Holborough Lakes
Residents of Tonbridge and Malling are being invited to comment on new measures to tackle anti-social behaviour hot spots across the borough.
The borough council consultation opening today seeks views on new Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) which prohibit certain activities either across the borough or at specific locations. The orders give council officers powers to issue fixed penalty notices of £100 to anyone found breaching the rules.
The proposed additions to existing orders, which were first introduced in 2017, would introduce new borough-wide restrictions on nuisance parking in public open spaces and car or motorcycle meets. They will also see a ban on fishing at Tonbridge Town Lock and on swimming, boating and bathing at Holborough Lakes, near Snodland, following complaints from residents.
Existing restrictions include a ban on barbeques, camping and swimming in country parks and a requirement to cease drinking alcohol in public when asked by an authorised officer to do so.
The consultation runs from 5 December to 15 January with all the proposals set out in a report on the council’s consultation web pages. The response from the public and final proposals will be presented to cabinet members in March 2023.
Cllr Matt Boughton, Leader of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, said: ‘We are determined to use all the tools at our disposal to make sure people do not have to put up with anti-social behaviour in their neighbourhoods. Public Space Protection Orders give us the powers we need to take action against those who cause a nuisance and will also act as a deterrent to others.
‘We’re expanding the range of existing orders in direct response to concerns that have been raised with us by residents. We look forward to seeing the public feedback on our proposals and to taking the necessary steps to prevent anti-social behaviour wherever it occurs.’